davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
THE FEEBLE-MINDED.
Some Extraordinary Powers Which They
Frequently Exhibit.

Some Extraordinary Powers Which They
frequently Exhibit.
1t is strange but well-known fact that in
many persons who are idiotic or but little re-
moved from the mental condition of idiots,
certain powers of the mind may be developed
to an extraordinary degree.
Remarkable precocity in the power of
arithmetical calculations is frequently COM
bined with a positive deficiency in other
directions. In institutions devoted to the
care of feeble-minded children such exam
Piles are nearly always present. Deficient in
some faculties. Others are developed to ex-
cess. Some such can carve and draw with
great skill. Extraordinary memory is often
met with associated with very great defect
of reasoning. One boy, in reading Gibbons
"Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire"
skipped line on the third page at his first
perusal Ever after, when reciting from
would on coming to the third page, skip
the line and retrace his steps, just as when
he first recommitted the passage to memory.
Often the memory takes the form of re-
membering dates and past events. One boy
never failed to tell correctly the name and
visited in London, and could as readily tell
the date of every visit The faculty of num-
Der is usually slightly developed in feeble
minded children, while memory is fairly
well developed; yet occasionally the power
of mental arithmetic has been well de-
veloped. improvisation is an occasional
faculty. Memory of tune is very COM
mon faculty among the feeble-minded; they
readily acquire simple airs and rarely forget
them.
In none of the cases of idiot savants has
there been any history of the possession of a
similar faculty by the parents or sisters or
brothers In one case q necropsy is reported
by DR.. ]. L. Down, of London. The boy had
past or passing time. There was no differ
ence from an ordinary brain, with the ex-
ception that there were two well-marked and
distinct soft commissures. DIR. Downs ex-
PLANTATION of the phenomenon was that, as
every movement of the house was absolutely
punctual, he had data from which he could
estimate the time by accurate appreciation of
its fux.
Every form of mental deviation NAV be
met with in the congenital predetermined.
They may become the subjects of acute and
chronic mania, of acute and chronic melan-
cholia, and of dementia Occasionally, I'M
der the influence of acute mania, the feeble
intellect of the youth becomes famed into
brighter fame. The taciturn NAV become
loquacious the timid and respectful proud
and defiant; the amiable and tractable. abu-
sive and destructive. Three remarkable in
stances occurred to DR.. Down of BOYS who
had never been able to speak making use of
well-formed sentences during the high febrile
state of acute pneumonia or scarlatina.
1t is of much interest to report all such
cases, as they throw great light on the work
ings of the human mind in health. Medical
and Surgical Reports.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20

ing. The fire is a snowy advertisement
and attracts many people, most of them
idlers, who haveplenty of cause for throwing
hungry glances at the fat, brown birds Very
tempting they look as the juice drops from
them into the huge pan underneath. And
the quarters and halves Of chickens and geese
displayed behind the window are appetizing
things to look at. This is one of the rotis-
series or cook-shops, where roast meat is
sold, and where those who, in the hurry of
business, have no time for regular dinner
may supply their wants for moderate price.
As wine is as Indispensable to the French
mans meal as beer is in German concert
garden, one or more brasSeries (bar-rooms) are
always found in the neighborhood of such a
cook-shop. About the same time in the
evening boys and men may be seen walking
about the streets, dressed in full cooks cos
tune, with white apron, jacket and cap, car
rying legs and wings of roast chickens on
dish, and which they sell for five cents
apiece. It's very cheap, but it's dusty
affair.
We leave the more luxurious parts of the
town, traverse the quarter devoted to bust
ness and manufacture (ths Marais), pass by
the Notre Dame cathedral, and, after long
walk through narrow, dirty lanes and streets,
enter the quarter Moafstard, one of the
worst parts of the city. The haggard, suspic-
ious-looking faces we meet, the angry
glances catch, thetumbling houses, filthy
alleys, the ragged children that play on the
rough pavement-everythin tells that a visit
at night in these places would not be a safe
affair for well-dressed man; nor, truly, is it
at any time of the day, unless under guide
ance of one so experienced as our friend, the
officer. The latter causes us to stop at little
house whose sloping walls seem ready to drop
at any moment, and, opening the door of
the shop Qor it is public-house), beckons
us to follow him. We enter a small, smoky,
dirty, room, with a low ceiling, from which
an oil lamp is dangling, spreading more
smell than light. The room is furnished
with three small tables, twice as many
wooden chairs and a bench the latter stands
against the wall under the little windows.
Opposite to the bench is low counter, from
behind which hideous old woman, most
dirtily dressed, sends rather suspicious chances
at us. We seat ourselves at the table next to
the door, and our conductor asks the shop
keeper for 'three portions" Beside our
selves there are three more guests; one lies
on the bench, snoring in an advanced condi-
ton OF intoxication. The two others sit
together at one table; a man in blouse. his
face half hidden by his black cap. his legs
resting upon the table. is devouring the con-
tents of plate he holds between his knees.
dirty, demonstrating young woman is in
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20

For number Of years Amos H. Mills. Of
Decatur township, returned for taxation
5000 in money which, he said, was buried
on his farm. He paid taxes promptly on It
but last June he died without giving any in
ministrator plowed every part Of the farm and
dug around the dwelling house and outbuildN
ings without discovering anything of value.
The widow had no other means, and in tixzg
q small Judgment was taken against her.
Under attachment her buggy and horse were
taken away. Yesterday an effort was made
this charge Of $4,000 taxables against the
Mills estate. This will be done as soon as it
is evident that the money cannot be found.--
Indianapolis Journal.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
WHOLESALE BIRD MURDER.
An Appeal in Behalf of the Feathere
SOngsters of the Country.

An Appeal in Behalf of the Feathered
Songsters of the Country.
A writer in one of the naturalists' maya
zines describes the "bird rookeries of South
ern Florida" as he saw them six years ago.
when they were densely populated, and again
as he finds them now since the mil
liner has been prosecuting her work of devas-
tation. Birds have been killed, he says, the
plumes taken from the back, head and breast,
and the carcass thrown to the buzzards. One
man for a season employed from forty to
sixty gunners, furnishing them with all sup
plies, and paying them stipulated sum for
each plume or fiat skim" which he consid-
cred good enough for his market
What the woods and fields of Southern
Florida have suffered at the hands of the
fashion fend is only drop in the bucket
compared with what the whole country has
suffered from the same source. 1t is an out
rage that such practices should be permitted
anywhere in the United States. If the
humane instincts of our people are not strong
enough to prevent them, resort should be had
to severe laws rigidly enforced.
Similar legislation should be adopted and
enforced to put stop to the murder of the
song birds of the country carried ON in such
devastating style by brutal gunners and
unsportsmanlike sportsmen.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20

posed OF anything but the juice of grapes.
ror an these reasons the meal is by no means
cheap one, and as these restaurants are
'nequented by the many people who are not
able to patronize better houses. and vet are
eoo PROUD 20 pc seen in the public houses of
me iaporlng classes, their owners thrive and
prosper.
In the restaurants of the laboring classes
one can get for 20 or 25 cents a simple but
hearty, good meal, and half pint of pure.
native wine. Let us visit the largest, situ-
ated near the outskirts of the city. 1t is din
ner-hour, any time between five and eight
?. NJ. We enter the house through a turn
stile, the keeper of which sells us a ticket for
one meal at 20 cents. We have to descend
. staircase Of three steps before reaching the
door, which porters opens for us, and, as he
Goes so, there bursts upon our ears clatter-
ing, roaring noise, which was not so notice
able through the heavy oaken panels, while
at the same moment hot, disagreeable
smelling blaze waves against our face. We
stopto throw glance upon a spacious, rather
low-roofed hall, with whitewashed walls.
At scores Of large wooden tables sit as many
hundreds Of women, men and children, eat
ing from tin plates, and drinking their wine
out Of earthen jugs. Others walk to and fro,
fetching their meals from the kitchens, for
there are no walters employed. One must
needs have strong nerves to enjoy meal in
this place The airs hot and saturated with
the smell Of roasted and cooked meat. The
noise defies description; for the loud talking,
singing, swearing Of men and crying Of
children and the,increasing clatter Of forks
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
The B. zs1 O..

Is still, however, the only line running
Limited Express trains, without extra
charge, from the Great Riuers and
Lakes Of the West ouer the Alleghanies
to the Sea. In fact, it is THE ONLY
LINE in the country running limited
fast trains anywhere upon which the
rule is strictly adhered to Of not max
ing an extra money rate for fast time.
On the B. O. O. the best that modern
railroad progress can attain is given
for the regular fare, and no thought Of
adding fancy figures. 1t is the only
line between the East and the West Uia
Washington, and the only line passing
through the National Capital en- route.
1t is the only line through the historic
and famousty beautiful Valley of the
Potomac, witb Harper's Ferry en- route,
and welI indeed is it named
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
But He was Long on Elk.

John Short, long-legged miner, who can
leap like kangaroo lately ran down couple
of six-pronged bull elk in the deep snow on
Big creek. It was perhaps the most exciting
and remarkable chase of animals ever known
in the northern region of the world. He
chased the big racers over nine miles on foot
with asheavy Sharp's rifle on his shoulder and
big overcoat on his arm. He chased them
until sheer exhaustion compelled them to
halt and himself to lie down painting throb-
bling and perspiring behind juniper tree.
After while he banged away at them, the
sights sight: Of his gun bob3bing up and down in
doomed creatures bowed their royal horns to
the snow, as the erring shots few fast from
the smoky juniper, and bleated for mercy !
He killed them, but it took all the cartridges
in his belt and mostly all the breath in his
body.
II tell yer" he said, 81 wor the most un-
happy Short on airth for a while. / wor
short O. breath. LONG Creek Eagle
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
BALTIMORE AND OHIO

With it's half-century's record Of
ABSOLUTE IMPARTIALITY, It's
unparalleled achievements in ADJ
VANCING THE STANDARD OF
AMERICAN RAILROADS and its
UNQUESTIONED ATTITUDE as
regards the demands Of the travel
ing public has beyond dispute long
stood at the very head In popular
estimation.
1t is not altogether improbable
that, in view of the financial suc-s
cess achieved under the steadily
maintained
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
LIBERAL POLICY OF THE B. & O.,

Our National Legislators, in enact
ing the Interstate Commerce Law,
were aiming to impress this obs
ject lesson upon the attention Of
other railway managers and teach
them that the way to prosperity
and public favor was through the
hope of reaching the standard of
the sterling old company, which
has so long led the way and merits
the proud distinction Of being des-
ignated as THE MODEL LINE.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE.

Young De Sculpin walks with Cora,
And bird sings in his heart
As, discussing springtime's fora,
Tiny thoughtlets they impart.
Cora leds an English pug
Wrapped in dainty broidered rug.
Talking thus of flowers and weather,
Young De Sculpin in his pride
Trips upon her poodle's tether,
And is Laundering at her side,
Tangled up with English pug
Wrapped in dainty broidered rug.
Dick Steele IA Omaha World.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20

i was just thinking remarked Mr..
Brown, who is railroad director and close
observer.
You will injure your health some day if
you don't give up bad habits Of that kind, -
remarked the president of the road. 'sDi-
rectors shouldn't think-at least not too
hard"
mo, suppose not. But it occurred to
me that if Congress had been railroad cor
poration and the bill had been in force it
couldn't have been passed. l was thinking
of speaking about it to the board at the next
meeting"
you're positively becoming deep. Pm glad
you're not a conductor. With such mind
in such position the officers of the road
wouldn't get half show Pitts6urg Dis
patch
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
Bill Nve,s Partner.

Bill Nye began his career as a writer in
Wyoming, where he was first heard of as the
editor, proprietor and manager of paper
called the boomerang. He had at first tried
his hand at mining, and in the course of his
experiences became possessed of a mule
which he called Boomerang. When he
faithful long-eared partner by comforting his
name on the paper. At least that's what
Bill says. His name is Edgar William Nye
and he is one of the most domestic men in
the country. Omaha World
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
Both on the Rack.

SECT your hat sir, and accompany me
home" said an irate wife to her husband the
other evening after a matrimonial discussion
at the house of a friend. eyes, my DEAR
meekly responded the frightened benedict,
where is my haiti ''On the rack, sir"
answered the wife promptly and emphatic
ally-the emphasis on the word track"
"Ah, yes" said the husband sadly; ''the hat
and 1 will exchange places after we leave
here. PHILADELPHIA Call.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20

ton. The cooking is of the highest order
and SO are the prices. A very simple meal of
four or five dishes costs about ten or fifteen
francs ($2 or $3), wine not included; and in
France no meal is taken without wine, even
those who do not like it taking half bottle
for the sake Of appearance. Exorbitantly
high prices are charged for more elaborate
repasts. There is, for instance, restaurant
IN this city the owner of which has invented
and patented, too, soup which is composed
Of costly ingredients, among which are livers
Of fat chickens. To give to the latter the
right taste it is necessary they say, that the
chickens be killed by the discharge of an
electric battery. The price of this decoction
is twenty-five francs (s5) plate.
A rather disagreeable duty imposed upon
every customers purse is the fee to the
waiter. The habit of giving this fee is so
deep rooted that but few walters receive reg
ular salary, most depending upon their share
in thereceipts for drinks, which are equally
divided among them. Restaurants of the
second and third-class give more satisfaction
than those of the first, as their meals are
quite as good and less dear. After these fol-
low the restaurants that have fixed price
per meal To the uninitiated these seem to
be the very ones to patronize, as they sell
meal of four dishes, say, soup, fish, roast,
game, dessert and half bottle of wine, all
included, for II to 2 francs, GO to 40 cents.
This certainly appears to be very cheap but
/ would advise no one to bite at the lure.
The soup is greeny, greasy mixture, which
most of the customers dare not touch, to the
great satisfaction of the landlord; for the
plate is returned to the kitchen and poured
back into the kettle, to be served to the next
guest. The fish comes directly from the city
markets, it is true but it is selected from
remnants which more liberal purchasers had
already refused to buy some days before.
The roast reminds the consumer very forci-
bly, of the last accident at the horse race, as
many proud steed finds its grave in these
restaurants of fixed prices, and the wine is an
unwholesome. unpalatable counterfeit, COM
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
1t Makes the Hearers Raw.

sob, dear!" exclaimed cousin Jane, my
throat is so raw | can't sing any more
Doesn't singing makeyour throat raw, Uncle
Charles?"
81 think" was the guarded reply, 'that it
has tendency to make those raw who hear
me ''-BOst0sa Trd1segiYt
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
copyrighted. 1881

well calculated to make partaking of its
perfect repasts more than a mere CASTRO
nomical enjoyment. The waters in their
short black frocks, white aprons and pat
ent-leather slippers walk noiselessly over
the thick carpets and do their service with
promptitude and politeness. The people talk
In an undertone, and, Frenchmen as they
are, cast off the cares Of business or politics
to give themselves up, body and soul, to the
enjoyment Of the repast and easy converse
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
EATING IN PARIS.


From the Elegant 1zaison Doree to the Pub
lie Houses Of the Quarter MoufEetard--
Partisan luxury and Poverty Everything
Edible Put to its Greatest Possible Use.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20

Paris broad streets,
the Rue de Ia Pain,
for instance. Sud-
denly our eyes are
attracted by the
glare of a fire
burning behind
the show-window
of a shop. APP
preaching we see
it is a crate fire,
some five feet high
by four wide, in
which several bun
ches of wood are
spreading tn cir
flames. In front of
these half a dozen
of spits, one under
the other, are kept
burning by a clock
work. Ateachs spit
several bir DIS,
chickens, geese and
the like are roast
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
TOWARD THE PUBLIC.
INTER STATE COMMISSION
In order to keep them straight
and compel them to
observe that
FAIR PLAY ALL AROUND

So dear to the American idea Of
square deal, it Is a good thing that
this necessity has been realized
and the great power of Congress In
voked to bring them to a proper
sense of the situation. The
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20
PICTURESQUE B. & 0.

Ticket Agents everywhere furnish informs
ton, rates, etc., etc., and it is sure to lead to
saving of money to become posted thoroughly
as to the advantages of the Baltimore and Ohio
for trip anywhere between the East and the
Vast
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-20

The latest London beauties are Edith
Chester and Blanche Horlock. actresses.
Smyrna times., 1887-03-09
Laws Against Bachelors.

Some years since a novel feature was
introduced in municipal taxation in Bel
gium by allowing Il rebate to all married
men, with an allowance also for each child
of the family, the chief burden thus fall
ing on the bachelors. In France it is now
proposed to tax bachelors as they were
taxed in the days of the first republic,
and there is no doubt but that the meas
ure would be carried by an overwhelming
majority if the women had voice i'll the
matter. 1t is a fact, by the way, that re-
publics, for some reason or another, have
been very severe in their laws against
bachelors. Plato the Wise, condemned
them to u fine, and in Sparta they were
driven at stated times to the Temple of
Hercules by the women, who, having un-
dressed the poor fellows, would drill and
castigate them.
The old Romans, too, were severe with
their bachelors, who were made to pay
heavy fines, and worse than that for after
the siege of Veil it is told how Camillus
compelled them to marry the widows of
the soldiers who had fallen in the war.
In the time of Augustus, also, all other
things being equal, the married were pre-
ferred to single men for public offices.
Then the Roman who had three children
was exempted from personal taxes, and
the bachelors not only had to pay for them,
but were prevented from inheriting the
property of any one not Il Roman citizen.
So that the present revival of laws against
bachelors in France is no novelty after all
San Francisco Chronicle.
Smyrna times., 1887-03-09

of solving the problem, Mrs. Black re-
solved herself to accompany the rebel,
Ned, to Aunt Agnew's.
Dear Aunt Abigail - She sighed, as
Lila ran upstairs with her shawl and bon
net, ''what am l to do? Here is Ned per-
sisting that he viii marry Lila Red
burnp'
'Wen, 1 guess the best way is to let
him marry her." said Miss Agnew ''YOu
can't either lock him up or bind him over
to keep the peace, so far as l see. But
you haven't asked to see my adopted
daughter"
II came on purpose to be introduced
to her." said Mrs. Black. GLOW old is
she?''
"About 49,"
Mrs. Black heaved a spasmOdic sigh.
''Oh, Ned! Ned! if only you had kept
that rebelliOus heart of yours safe in your
own possessiOnW she thought, adding
aloud, "And pretty?'
''Well, people say so. Here she comes
now"
Mrs. Black stretched her neck this way
and that to see behind Lila, who just
then came into the room, blushing and
lovely.
where? Pardon me- may be dull,
but don't scc?'
81 have adopted Lila Redburn, " said
Miss Agnew, dryly.
"And Lila Redburn has promised to
be my wife" said Ned Black, over the
new heiress' shoulder. $50 1 don't see
but that Aunt Abigail will have to adopt
us bOthr'
"Tu take the matter into considera-
tion,' said the old lady. But 1 hope
you are satisfied now, Niece Blackr'
'Pcrfectly," cried the maneuvering
mother, ''perfectly!'
For luck had borne the little vessel OF
her hopes and fears safe into golden
| pOrt.-New York News
Smyrna times., 1887-03-09
Women of the Stage.

\ woman while travelling must either
be sufficient company to herself or find
such enjoyment as she can in the company
of others, who may or may not be cOngen-
ial. 1t frequently happens, after few
weeks, that mutually interesting subjects
are exhausted, and, perhaps, nothing but
backbiting and gossip remain as ever
fruitful topics Then it is that the world
appears no larger than u cheese box, and
the thoughts and opinions Of the members
Of the company seem like the final iudg.
ment. Then is it that jealousy eats into
the soul, and life is narrower than q
thread. Jealousy and backbiting will be
conceded to belong not alone to the stage
but rs the stage does share in them tC
some degree, it might be well to include
them among the disadvantages For all
this there is but one cure-the right EN-
plOyment of the leisure time; in sight see
ing, perhaps, for there is always some,
thing to be seen and learned during q
ramble, if the tired traveller can be in
duced to take One.-GeOrgia Cayvan il
Brooklyn Magazine
Smyrna times., 1887-03-09
The Value of London Land

1t has been eItained, with regard to
the Imperial Institute, that the site OF
about five acres recently secured for the
admiralty and war Offices is valued at
t62O, 900, or rather over 100000 per acre:
that now vacant in Charles street, opposite
the India Office, is less than an acre. and
would cost at least e12j, COO; probably an
other acre might be secured by private
contract, so that the value Of limited
site in this position would not be less than
$3.50. 600.
1t has been suggested that u single acre
not far from Charing Cross might be oh
tanned for E224. COO Two and a half acres
on the Thames embankment have been
offered for f400000 and it is stated that
six acres may be procured from Christ's
hospital for $500, 600. Another good cen.
trai position has been suggested, consisting
Of two and half acres, which has been
valued at eG6S, 600 London Court Jour.
nal